The Red Line
banner
theredline.bsky.social
The Red Line
@theredline.bsky.social
A deep-dive geopolitics and security podcast bringing you expert analysis of the conflicts and calculations shaping our world.

Hosted by Michael Hilliard
NEW EPISODE >> HOW IMPORTANT ARE STRATEGIC BOMBERS IN 2025?

Russia, China, and the US, are all now racing to modernise their strategic bomber fleets, but what is each side prioritising, and when will these next-gen aircraft enter service?

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/how-imp...
How Important are Strategic Bombers in 2025?
Once central to WWII victory and Cold War deterrence, strategic bombers remain vital for the US, Russia, and China. From precision strikes to missile salvos and secondary strike roles, each employs th...
www.theredlinepodcast.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE >>

>> Below is a map of their bases
>> USA/RUS/CHI = Currently have them
>> FRA/UK/UA/KAZ/EGY/IRQ = Used to have them
>> These platforms saw a lot more use during WW2

Any guesses?
August 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
AUGUST LIVESTREAM >> WARGAMING: A CHINESE INVASION OF TAIWAN (2025 UPDATE)

KICKING OFF IN 45 MINUTES!! ⏰⏰

theredlinepodcast.com/discord
Join the The Red Line Discord Server!
Check out the The Red Line community on Discord – hang out with 398 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
theredlinepodcast.com
August 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
AUGUST LIVESTREAM >> WARGAMING: A CHINESE INVASION OF TAIWAN (2025 UPDATE)

A 2+ hour analysis of the invasion plans, probability of success, and the shift in political calculus currently underway.

Via Zoom and Discord

SAT 16TH AUGUST
- 1500 (DC Time)
- 2000 (UK Time)
August 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW EPISODE >> WARGAMING: A TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

As Turkey takes on a more assertive role in the Eastern Med, questions are being raised about Cyprus and what a renewed conflict might look like today. Could the Republic be defended?

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/wargami...
Wargaming: A Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
With Cyprus having now been divided for decades, and Turkey growing ever more assertive in the region, we bring together experts to examine Ankara’s position on the island, the potential consequences ...
www.theredlinepodcast.com
August 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE:

> Not landlocked
> 3 colours on the flag
> Has troops from India, Russia, Turkey, the US and UK, deployed within the country
> However, 1 of those states recognises very different borders for the state
> Uses RU-made tanks
> Previously had a land border with the EU

Any guesses?
July 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM
UPCOMING SPACE >> COMPARING DRONE DOCTRINES ACROSS THEATRES

MONDAY 30th JUNE
- 0900 (DC Time)

With special guests:
- Samuel Bendett (‪@sambendett.bsky.social‬)
- Tom Mutch (Author of "The Dogs of Mariupol")
- Candace Rondeaux (‪@candacerondeaux.bsky.social‬)
June 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE >>

- Has stars and stripes on the flag
- 3 colours on the flag, including red and white
- Only borders 2 nations
- No official diplomatic relations with Iran
- Has a significant Georgian population
- Not in the CSTO, but borders a CSTO nation

Any guesses?
June 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
HAPPENING TOMORROW 🚨🚨

LIVESTREAM >> EXAMINING THE PURPOSE FOR EACH OF RUSSIA'S OVERSEAS BASES/FACILITIES (1946 - Current)

Examining where Moscow used to command bases, which ones have closed down, and which ones are still functioning today.

SAT MAY 31st
- 1500 (DC time)
- 2000 (UK time)
May 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
NEW EPISODE >> WHO CONTROLS EASTERN CONGO? 🇨🇩

While Kinshasa and Kigali parade peace deals for the cameras, the war in eastern DRC grinds on. Unable to dislodge Uganda or Rwanda, and with peacekeepers in retreat, Kinshasa is losing control of the East.

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/who-con...
Who Controls Eastern Congo?
As the perpetual battle for control of the eastern provinces of the DRC rages on, international alliances are beginning to shift, and new powers are starting to gain previously unseen footholds.
www.theredlinepodcast.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This feels strangely relevant for some reason....

WARGAMING: INDIA VS. PAKISTAN

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D0C...
Wargaming: India vs Pakistan
YouTube video by The Red Line
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE >>

- This country borders 9 other countries
- Has less than 100km of coastline
- They were never colonised by the UK, FR or SP
- Not in NATO
- Not in the CSTO
- Their largest import and export partner is China
- Massive rise in defence spending since 2022

Any guesses?
April 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
NEW ARTICLE >> TILTING ON THE EDGE? THE FUTURE OF BRITAIN'S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY

London claims it's still pursuing its tilt toward the Pacific, but with Ukraine ongoing, and a souring relationship with the US, some are having doubts?

✏️= @GabrielRLane

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/tilting...
Tilting on the edge? The future of Britain’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
London still claims Britain's future lies in the Indo-Pacific, but do the finances and decisions agree with the statement?
www.theredlinepodcast.com
April 4, 2025 at 12:14 PM
NEW EPISODE >> 🚨 EXCLUSIVE: WE ACQUIRED BLUEPRINTS FOR RUSSIA'S NEXT-GEN ARTILLERY SYSTEM 🚨

The design of this artillery system is unlike anything else in service today, so we enlisted leading experts @markgaleotti.bsky.social and Eric Gomez for their analysis.

youtu.be/nGF1NqxPJCc?...
EXCLUSIVE: We Acquired Blueprints for Russia’s Next-Gen Artillery System
YouTube video by The Red Line
youtu.be
April 1, 2025 at 9:25 AM
🚨🚨 >> RED LINE LIVESTREAM << 🚨🚨

CRASHCOURSE: HOW TO LOCATE AND IDENTIFY MILITARY BASES USING SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPHY AND OSINT. << 🚨🚨

🇷🇺🇹🇯🇵🇱🇨🇳🇰🇵

STARTÎNG IN 30 MINUTES VIA ZOOM AND DISCORD. ⏱️⏱️
March 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
UPCOMING LIVESTREAM >> CRASHCOURSE: HOW TO LOCATE MILITARY BASES USING OSINT 🚨

A short course and toolkit for locating, identifying and verifying military bases.

- LIVE on Zoom and Discord.
- REPLAY available on Patreon

SATURDAY 22ND MARCH
- 1600 (DC Time)
- 2000 (UK Time)
March 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
NEW EPISODE >> FROZEN FLASHPOINTS: GREENLAND, SVALBARD, AND THE NEXT ARCTIC STANDOFF

With Greenland back from the polls, the Arctic states are now entering into a tense moment in time, with many asking if NATO can weather a war in the north?

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/frozen-...
Frozen Flashpoints: Greenland, Svalbard, and the Next Arctic Standoff
As the arctic heats up, so do the geopolitical ambitions of the Arctic states, with the US, Russia and China all now moving into the area.
www.theredlinepodcast.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
@freedomhouse.bsky.social just released their 2025 scores 🚨

GEORGIA > 55 ( -3 )🔻
RUSSIA > 12 ( -1 ) 🔻
BELARUS > 7 ( -1 )🔻
KYRGYZSTAN > 26 ( -1 )🔻
TURKMENISTAN > 1 ( -1 )🔻

KAZAKHSTAN > 23 ( - )
UZBEKISTAN > 12 ( - )
TAJIKISTAN > 5 ( - )
ARMENIA > 54 ( - )
AZERBAIJAN > 7 ( - )

UKRAINE > 51 ( +1 ) 🟢
February 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE >>

- Examining two potential invasions.
- Both are invasions of territories.
- Both in the same region.

INV 1: _ _ _ _ _ _ ➡️ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- The nations share a land border

INV 2: _ _ _ ➡️ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- One has military bases in the other

Any guesses?
February 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
NEW EPISODE >> TIMOR LESTE'S FADING SUNRISE

Timor-Leste is currently facing multiple looming crises, and the window to resolve them is quickly shrinking. With several countries adding pressure on Timor, will Dili be able to reverse course in time?

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/timor-l...
Timor Leste's Fading Sunrise
Timor-Leste stands at a crossroads, grappling with the legacies of Indonesian occupation, economic dependence on dwindling oil reserves.
www.theredlinepodcast.com
January 30, 2025 at 1:19 PM
TIMOR LESTE: OIL, OCCUPATION AND OBSTRUCTION

Examining Timor-Leste's evolving relationships with Indonesia, China, and Australia, as well as their rapidly approaching fork in the road.

OUT TOMORROW:
- 0600 (DC time)
January 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
NEXT EPISODE CLUE

- Focusing on one nation
- Only shares a land border with one other nation
- Has an exclave and islands
- One star on the flag
- Speaks a European language, but it's not ENG, FRN, RUS or ESP
- Their entire airforce was donated to them by the US. in 2020

Any guesses?
January 23, 2025 at 12:08 PM
NEW ARTICLE >> RUBLES OVER REVERENCE: THE EVOLUTION IN RUSSIAN RECRUITMENT MESSAGING

As Russia grows desperate for recruits, the Kremlin is now scrambling to reshape its strategy and messaging.

✏️= Ben Spencer

www.theredlinepodcast.com/post/rubles-...
Rubles over Reverence: The Evolution of Russian Recruitment Messaging
With Russia becoming increasingly desperate for recruits, the Kremlin is being forced to adapt its strategy and messaging.
www.theredlinepodcast.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:53 PM
THE TACTICS AND TIMELINE THAT BROUGHT DOWN ASSAD

Examining the key tactics, battles and decisions that brought down the Assad government, as well as the list of winners and losers now emerging from the campaign.

OUT NOW on our Patreon Feed
January 13, 2025 at 11:05 AM
STARTING IN 1 HOURS TIME >>

RED LINE LIVESTREAM >> THE TIMELINE AND TACTICS THAT BROUGHT DOWN ASSAD

Compiling all the key battles, movements, and events to examine how Assad's forces fell so quickly.

SUNDAY 29TH OF DECEMBER

- 1400 (DC time)
- 1900 (UK time)
December 29, 2024 at 5:52 PM